Diagonal bracing for lead post of folding partition

Abstract

A lead post assembly is provided for an elongated overhead track along which a folding partition including a leading edge is to be extended and retracted. The lead post assembly includes a carriage guidingly engaged with the track for shifting therealong and a vertical lead post member whose upper end portion is pivotally suspended from the carriage. A horizontal bar underlies the track and extends longitudinally therealong with one end of the bar being rigidly anchored relative to the carriage and the other end of the bar projecting along the track in the direction of retraction of the lead post assembly therealong. A guide is guidingly engaged with the track for shifting therealong and to which the other end of the bar is rigidly anchored. An elongated inclined brace member is provided and first and second attaching structures attach the upper and lower ends of the brace member to the guide and to the lead post member at a point spaced appreciately below the carriage. The upper end of the inclined brace member is pivotally attached to a longitudinal midportion of an elongated mounting plate extending longitudinally of the track and supported from the bar for angular displacement of the mounting plate relative to the bar about a horizontal axis transverse to the brace and bar.

What is claimed as new is as follows: 
     
       1. In combination, an elongated overhead track, a lead post assembly for a foldable barrier including a leading edge to be extended and retracted along and beneath said track, said lead post assembly including a vertical lead post member, a carriage guidingly engaged with said track for shifting therealong, the upper end portion of said lead post member being supported and suspended from said carriage, a horizontal bar underlying said track and extending longitudinally therealong, one end of said bar being anchored relative to said carriage and the other end of said bar projecting along said track in the direction of retraction of said lead post assembly therealong, a guide guidingly engaged with said track for shifting therealong and to which the other end of said bar is anchored, an elongated inclined brace member, and first and second attaching structure attaching the upper and lower ends of said brace member to said guide and said lead post member at a point spaced appreciably below said carriage. 
     
     
       2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said first attaching structure includes means operative to adjustably vertically shift said upper end of said brace member relative to said guide. 
     
     
       3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said guide is elongated and guidingly engages longitudinally spaced portions of said track, said first attaching structure including an elongated mounting plate extending longitudinally of said bar and supported therefrom for angular adjustment about a horizontal axis extending transversely of said bar, said first attaching structure pivotally attaching the upper end of said brace member to a longitudinal midportion of said mounting plate for angular displacement relative thereto about a second horizontal axis transverse to said brace and mounting plate. 
     
     
       4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said track includes opposite side track portions defining opposing downwardly and upwardly facing vertically spaced upper and lower track surfaces, respectively, said carriage including opposite side sets of longitudinally spaced wheels journaled therefrom for rotation about vertically spaced upper and lower horizontal axes, the wheels journaled for rotation about said upper and lower axes including upper and lower peripheral portions, respectively, rollingly engaged with said upper and lower track surfaces, respectively. 
     
     
       5. The combination of claim 1 wherein the end of said track toward which said lead post assembly is extendible includes a horizontal idle sprocket journaled therein, a horizontal reversely drivable sprocket journaled in the other end of said track, a drive chain trained about said sprockets, the ends of said drive chain being anchored relative to said guide. 
     
     
       6. A lead post structure for an overhead track supported folding partition, said structure including a carriage and a guide assembly guidingly engaged with said track at points spaced therealong for guided movement along said track, a horizontal bar extending between and rigidly connecting said guide assembly and carriage, a vertical lead post assembly pivotally supported at its upper end from said carriage assembly for angular displacement about a horizontal axis extending transversely of said track, an elongated inclined brace member and first and second attaching structure attaching the upper and lower ends of said brace member to said guide assembly and lead post assembly, respectively, at least one of said attaching structures including means adjustably attaching the corresponding end of said brace member to the associated assembly whereby the effective length of said brace may be adjusted. 
     
     
       7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said first and second attaching structures include means pivotally attaching the upper and lower ends of said brace member to said guide and lead post assemblies, respectively. 
     
     
       8. The combination of claim 6 wherein said guide assembly is elongated and guidingly engages longitudinally spaced portions of said track, said first attaching structure including an elongated mounting plate extending longitudinally of said bar and supported therefrom for angular adjustment about a horizontal axis extending transversely of said bar, said first attaching structure pivotally attaching the upper end of said brace member to a longitudinal midportion of said mounting plate for angular displacement relative thereto about a second horizontal axis transverse to said brace and mounting plate. 
     
     
       9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said track includes opposite side track portions defining opposing downwardly and upwardly facing vertically spaced upper and lower track surfaces, respectively, said carriage including opposite side sets of longitudinally spaced wheels journaled therefrom for rotation about vertically spaced upper and lower horizontal axes, the wheels journaled for rotation about said upper and lower axes including upper and lower peripheral portions, respectively, rollingly engaged with said upper and lower track surfaces, respectively. 
     
     
       10. The combination of claim 6 wherein said first attaching means includes means operative to adjustably vertically shift said upper end of said brace member relative to said guide assembly.